Market requirements
Selling textiles in the US: requirements
Apparel sold in the US needs fibre, origin, manufacturer and care labels, and clothing textiles must meet the 16 CFR 1610 flammability standard. Children's products (12 and under) need third-party testing at a CPSC-accepted lab, tracking labels and a Children's Product Certificate issued by the importer. Imports are screened under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Several states restrict PFAS in textiles: California, New York and Maine today, Washington from 2027 and Colorado from 2028.
Last reviewed 3 Oct 2026 · Not legal advice
A few items for this market are still being checked against official sources and aren't listed yet.
Mandatory (law)
Required by law for textiles sold in the US.
| Requirement | Applies to | Proof | Date | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre content, manufacturer identity and origin label (Textile Act)Tolerance: 3 percentage points of the stated amount (16 CFR 303.43); not applicable when a fibre is labelled as 100% or '-all'. FTC guide: 'Threading Your Way Through the Labeling Requirements'. | Textile wearing apparel and most household textiles | Permanent label: generic fibre names and % by weight (fibres ≥5%), RN number or company name, country of origin ('Made in [country]'); in English | 3 Mar 1960 | In force | 16 CFR Part 303 – FTC Textile Rules (eCFR) |
| Wool Products Labeling Act | Products containing wool | Wool label per 16 CFR 300 (incl. recycled wool)AATCC 20A | — | In force | 16 CFR Part 300 (eCFR) |
| Country-of-origin marking and textile origin rules | All imports; garments under textile origin rules | Origin per 19 CFR 102.21 (garments: generally where wholly assembled); marked on goods per 19 U.S.C. 1304 | 1 Jul 1996 | In force | 19 CFR 102.21 (eCFR) |
| Care Labeling Rule | Textile wearing apparel and certain piece goods | Permanent care label with at least one safe method; manufacturer/importer must have a reasonable basis (e.g. test results)AATCC 135 / AATCC 150 (to support)ASTM D5489 (symbols) | 3 Jul 1972 | In force | 16 CFR Part 423 (eCFR) |
| Flammability of clothing textiles | All wearing apparel textiles (adult and children's) | Class 1 or 2 result; General Certificate of Conformity (adult) or CPC (children's) unless fabric is exempt from testing (e.g. plain-surface fabrics ≥ 2.6 oz/yd², or 100% acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, olefin, polyester, wool)16 CFR 1610 (45° flammability test) | 1 Jan 1954 | In force | 16 CFR Part 1610 (eCFR) |
| Children's sleepwear flammability | Children's sleepwear sizes 0–14 (excl. infant garments ≤ 9 months and tight-fitting garments meeting set dimensions) | Third-party test at a CPSC-accepted lab; CPC; tight-fitting garments need a hangtag and permanent size label16 CFR 1615 (sizes 0–6X)16 CFR 1616 (sizes 7–14) | — | In force | 16 CFR Parts 1615/1616 (eCFR) |
| Lead in children's products (CPSIA)Textile testing exemption: 16 CFR 1500.91. | Children's products for age 12 and under | Lead content ≤ 100 ppm in accessible substrate; paint/surface coatings ≤ 90 ppm. Dyed/undyed textiles are exempt from testing, but metal snaps, zips, plastic trims and prints/coatings need third-party testingCPSC-CH-E1001-08.3 (metal)CPSC-CH-E1002-08.3 (non-metal)CPSC-CH-E1003-09.1 (paint/coatings)16 CFR 1303 | 14 Aug 2011 | In force | CPSC – Lead in children's products |
| Phthalates in child care articles (CPSIA)General children's apparel for over 3 is not a child care article; buyers often test prints anyway. | Children's toys and child care articles (products for age 3 and under that help sleeping, feeding, sucking or teething, e.g. sleepwear for ≤ 3 years, bibs) | Third-party test: 8 listed phthalates each ≤ 0.1% in accessible plasticised parts (e.g. plastisol prints)CPSC-CH-C1001-09.4 | 14 Oct 2017 | In force | 16 CFR Part 1307 (eCFR) |
| Drawstrings on children's upper outerwearListed as a substantial product hazard. | Children's upper outerwear sizes 2T–16 | No neck/hood drawstrings in sizes 2T–12; waist/bottom drawstrings meet ASTM F1816 limitsASTM F1816-97 | 19 Jul 2011 | In force | 16 CFR Part 1120 (eCFR) |
| Tracking labels on children's products | Children's products for age 12 and under | Permanent marks on product and packaging: manufacturer/private labeler, place and date of production, batch/cohort | 14 Aug 2009 | In force | CPSC – Tracking labels |
| Children's Product Certificate (CPC) with third-party testingThe lab must be on CPSC's accepted-lab list for the specific test; NABL accreditation alone is not enough. | Children's products for age 12 and under | CPC issued by the US importer or domestic manufacturer, based on tests by a CPSC-accepted third-party lab | 10 Feb 2010 | In force | CPSC – Children's Product Certificate |
| General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) | Non-children's products subject to a CPSC rule (e.g. adult apparel under 16 CFR 1610 unless exempt) | GCC issued by the importer based on a test or reasonable testing programme (first- or third-party) | 12 Nov 2008 | In force | CPSC – General Certificate of Conformity |
| CPSC eFiling of certificates at importGoods entered from Foreign Trade Zones: from 8 Jan 2027. | Imports of CPSC-regulated products that need a CPC or GCC | Certificate data filed electronically in CBP ACE at entry | 8 Jul 2026 | In force | CPSC final rule, 16 CFR 1110 (Federal Register, 8 Jan 2025) |
| Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) and Tariff Act s.307Indian cotton goods can be detained if they contain Chinese (Xinjiang) cotton or yarn. Isotope/DNA cotton origin testing is used by some importers. | All imports; cotton and cotton textiles are high-priority sectors | Supply-chain tracing documents to bale/gin level for cotton if detained; must show no Xinjiang inputs or listed entities | 21 Jun 2022 | In force | U.S. Customs and Border Protection – UFLPA |
| FTC Green Guides (environmental claims)Guides interpret Section 5 of the FTC Act; they are enforced through it. | Claims only | Evidence for each environmental claim (e.g. recycled-content certificates) | 1 Oct 2012 | In force | FTC – Green Guides (16 CFR 260) |
| California Proposition 65 warningsShort-form warning amendments effective 1 Jan 2025; older short-form warnings allowed on products made before 1 Jan 2028. | Products sold in California by businesses with 10+ employees | Clear and reasonable warning if a product exposes consumers to a listed chemical (e.g. lead, DEHP, BPA) above safe-harbour levels; or test data showing no warning neededLab tests for listed chemicals (e.g. CPSC-CH-C1001-09.4 phthalates, lead methods) | 27 Feb 1988 | In force | OEHHA – Proposition 65 |
| California PFAS in textile articles (AB 1817)Outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions: allowed until 1 Jan 2028 with a 'Made with PFAS chemicals' disclosure. | Textile articles incl. apparel and household textiles sold in California | Certificate of compliance from manufacturer to sellers; no intentionally added PFAS and total organic fluorine below 100 ppm (below 50 ppm from 1 Jan 2027)Total organic fluorine (combustion ion chromatography)EN 17681-1 | 1 Jan 2025 | In force | AB 1817 (California Legislative Information) |
| New York PFAS in apparelOutdoor apparel for severe wet conditions included from 1 Jan 2028. Protective uniforms/PPE exempt. | Apparel sold in New York | No intentionally added PFAS (supplier declaration and/or test)Total organic fluorineEN 17681-1 | 1 Jan 2025 | In force | NYSDEC – PFAS in Apparel Law (ECL 37-0121) |
| Maine PFAS in textile articles | Textile articles incl. apparel (outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions excluded for now) | No intentionally added PFASTotal organic fluorine | 1 Jan 2026 | In force | Maine DEP – PFAS in products |
| Colorado PFAS in textile articles | Textile articles incl. apparel; outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions | No intentionally added PFAS; until then outdoor severe-wet apparel needs a 'Made with PFAS chemicals' disclosureTotal organic fluorine | 1 Jan 2028 | Applies later | Colorado SB 24-081 (enrolled act) |
| Washington PFAS in apparel and accessories (Safer Products) | Apparel and accessories sold in Washington | No intentionally added PFAS; reporting for 'apparel for extreme and extended use' (first reports due 2027)Total fluorine | 1 Jan 2027 | Applies later | Washington Dept. of Ecology – Safer Products (WAC 173-337) |
Commonly requested by buyers
Not required by law, but many buyers ask for these.
| Requirement | Applies to | Proof | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certificateBuyer-driven, not law. Product classes I-IV set limits (Class I = babies). Certificates are issued by OEKO-TEX institutes, not by a third party such as TexPass. | All textiles; most common for children's wear, underwear, bed linen | Valid OEKO-TEX certificate number, checkable on the OEKO-TEX label checkOEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 test catalogue (tested only by OEKO-TEX member institutes) | OEKO-TEX |
| Organic / recycled content certification (GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS)Buyer-driven, not law. In the EU, from 27 Sept 2026 a sustainability label must be based on a certification scheme or set by a public authority (Directive 2024/825), so buyers lean on these schemes more. Verify certificates in the GOTS public database / Textile Exchange certified-organisation lists. | Claims only: products sold as organic or recycled | Scope certificate for each site in the chain plus a Transaction Certificate (TC) per shipmentGOTS v7.xTextile Exchange OCS / GRS / RCS (Content Claim Standard) | Global Organic Textile Standard / Textile Exchange |
| Restricted Substances List (AFIRM RSL or brand RSL) lab testBuyer-driven. RSLs typically mirror and go beyond legal limits (e.g. EU REACH, CPSIA). The AFIRM RSL is updated roughly yearly. | All textiles; children's wear usually tested more strictly | Lab test report from an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab against the buyer's RSLEN ISO 14362-1 (azo amines)ISO 14184-1 (formaldehyde)ISO 18254-1 (APEO/NPE)EN ISO 14389 (phthalates)EN 16711-2 (extractable heavy metals)EN 17681-1 / EN 17681-2 (PFAS)ISO 3071 (pH) | AFIRM Group |
| ZDHC MRSL conformance and wastewater testingBuyer-driven. Applies to the factory's chemical inputs and effluent, not the finished garment. | Wet-processing units (dyeing, printing, finishing) supplying large brands | Chemical inventory checked against ZDHC MRSL (e.g. ZDHC Gateway / InCheck report); ZDHC wastewater test reportZDHC MRSL v3.1ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines | ZDHC Roadmap to Zero |
| Social compliance audit (amfori BSCI, Sedex SMETA, SA8000, WRAP)Buyer-driven. Increasingly used as evidence for buyers' legal due-diligence duties (EU Forced Labour Regulation, CSDDD, UK Modern Slavery Act, US UFLPA). | Garment and textile factories | Audit report / certificate from the scheme's approved auditoramfori BSCISedex SMETA 4-pillarSA8000WRAP | amfori / Sedex / SAI |
| Physical performance tests (shrinkage, colourfastness, pilling, seam strength)Buyer-driven quality requirements, not law. Pass/fail limits are set by each buyer. | All garments and fabrics | Lab test report against the buyer's quality manualAATCC 135 / AATCC 150 (dimensional change)AATCC 61 (colourfastness to laundering)AATCC 8 (crocking)AATCC 15 (perspiration)AATCC 16.3 (light)ASTM D3512 / ASTM D4970 (pilling)ASTM D1683 (seam strength)ASTM D5034 (grab tensile) | AATCC |
| Fibre composition verification testBuyer-driven way of supporting the mandatory fibre label; the law requires an accurate label, not a specific test. | All textiles | Lab test report confirming the label's fibre percentagesISO 1833 series / EN ISO 1833 (quantitative chemical analysis)AATCC 20 / AATCC 20A | ISO/TC 38 Textiles |
| Better Cotton sourcingBuyer-driven. Mass-balance scheme: does not prove physical traceability of a given garment unless the traceable option is used. | Cotton products for brands that are Better Cotton members | Better Cotton Platform declarations (mass-balance volumes) | Better Cotton |
| Children's wear mechanical safety (snap/button pull, small parts, sharp edges)Commonly required by retailers. Legally, garments must be safe under general product-safety law; these methods are how buyers check it. | Children's clothing, especially under 3 years | Lab test report16 CFR 1500.51-53 (use and abuse)16 CFR 1501 (small parts cylinder)ASTM D4846 (snap fastener holding strength) | CPSC |
Testing for US
What TexPass can test or verify here
Tests we can arrange at NABL-accredited labs that match the rows on this page, and certificate checks on the official registries.
Tell us the product and we'll suggest the tests.
Certificate checks: GOTS, OCS, GRS and OEKO-TEX on the official registries
Questions about the US
What does the law require for textiles sold in the US?
Apparel sold in the US needs fibre, origin, manufacturer and care labels, and clothing textiles must meet the 16 CFR 1610 flammability standard. Children's products (12 and under) need third-party testing at a CPSC-accepted lab, tracking labels and a Children's Product Certificate issued by the importer. Imports are screened under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Several states restrict PFAS in textiles: California, New York and Maine today, Washington from 2027 and Colorado from 2028.
What do buyers in the US commonly ask for?
Common buyer requests include: OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certificate; Organic / recycled content certification (GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS); Restricted Substances List (AFIRM RSL or brand RSL) lab test; ZDHC MRSL conformance and wastewater testing; Social compliance audit (amfori BSCI, Sedex SMETA, SA8000, WRAP); Physical performance tests (shrinkage, colourfastness, pilling, seam strength); Fibre composition verification test; Better Cotton sourcing; Children's wear mechanical safety (snap/button pull, small parts, sharp edges). Buyers ask for these; no law requires them.
What changes next in the US?
Colorado PFAS in textile articles: from 1 Jan 2028. Washington PFAS in apparel and accessories (Safer Products): from 1 Jan 2027.
Does TexPass certify textile products for the US?
No. TexPass is not a lab or a certification body. Accredited labs issue the test reports and certification bodies issue certificates; TexPass arranges tests and certificate checks and puts the results on a passport.
This is a summary for planning, not legal advice. Confirm with your importer or a qualified adviser before relying on any item.
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